MINUTES  REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETINGOFTHE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS INTHE COMMISSIONERS ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVEBUILDING MEETINGCALLEDTOORDER BY CHAIRMANIEONARD WIGGINS AT7:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Leonard Wiggins, Chairman, Mr. Jonathan Felton, Vice- Chairman, Mr. William Wooten, Mrs. Evelyn Powell, Mr. Donald Boswell and Mrs. Viola  OFI EDGECOMBE COUNTY JUNE 4, 20184 AT7:001 P.M. TARBORO, NORTHCAROLINA  Harris.  MEMBERS ABSENT: Rev. E. Wayne Hines. Attorney and Ms. Frangie Mungo, Clerk to the Board.  OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Eric Evans, County Manager, Mr. Michael Peters, County  2. 3. 4.  PRAYER.  Mrs. Harris provided thej prayer.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL.  Mr. Felton moved to approve the minutes of the May 7, 2018 as presented. Mr. Boswell 1. Mr. Wiggins called aj public hearing to order to receive citizen comments and questions relative to a proposed action to close a portion of Harts Chapel Road for economic  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  PUBLIC HEARING. development activities.  Mr. Peters read the notice as published.  Mr. Evans stated that to accommodate thel building of thei recently announced Triangle Tire manufacturing plant at Kingsboro Industrial Park, itis necessary to close aj portion of Harts Chapel Road (SR 1217). He stated that at thel Board's January meeting, they started the abandonment process by approving aj petition to the NC Department of Transportation for such action. Their] Board has since approved that petition and removed that portion of Harts Chapel Road from State maintenance. Mr. Evans state that the nexts stepi is tol hold aj public hearing, and subject toj public feedback, move to closet that] portion of] Hart's Chapel Road. After hearing public comments on this matter, Mr. Evans recommended that the Board approve the resolution to close aj portion of  SR1217/Harts Chapel Road. Mr. Wiggins called for public comments.  Ms. Marilla Sharpe, 155 Sun Pointel Lane, Tarboro Ms. Teresa Alston, 133 Sun Pointe Lane, Tarboro and Ms. Dorothy Ruffin, 35 Sun Pointe Lane, Tarboro came forth regarding concerns about the road closure and the exact] location of the closure. They expressed concerns about their property being purchased by the company and concerns about waste from the industry and their water quality. They wanted to know' the Mr. Evans described thej portion of the road tol be closed. He stated that this facility will have to comply with all environmental regulations that are inj place and it has to be approved by the County and thel Department of Water Quality. He stated that the road Mr. Wiggins stated that asi far as their property being purchased by the company, he Therel being no further public comments, thej public hearing was adjourned. Mr. Wooten moved to approve the closing ofaj portion of Harts Chapel Road. Mrs. Powell seconded thei motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 2. Mr. Wiggins called a public hearing to order to receive citizen comments or questions relative to the proposed fiscal vear 2018-2019 Edgecombe County budget.  purpose of closing the road.  closing is specifically being done for' Triangle Tire.  could not answer.    Mr. Peters read the public notice as published.  Mr. Evans read thei following budget recommendation for fiscal year 2018-2019: "Submitted. herein is the Edgecombe County recommended. Budget for Fiscal Year (FI) 2018-2019. The Budgeti is balanced in its entirety, as required by thel North Carolina Local Government. Budget and Fiscal Control. Act. In drafting this budget, William Johnson, Assistant County Manager, Katherine. Lancaster, Finance Director, and I worked with all of our department heads and met with ouri major, outside agencies. We approached the preparation of this budget with thej following goals in mind: maintaining our current staffing levels; providing a cost of living increase for employees ifpossible; addressing our most pressing capital needs; reviewing every line item toj find even the smallest opportunities to The County's proposed General. Fund budget for FY18-191 totals $74,389,702, including enterprise funds (Water/Sewer and, Solid Waste). The proposed general operating budget for FY18-19is $57,674, 917. The proposed budgeti is an increase of1 1.8%J from the original The proposed ad valorem tax rate fort the FY 18-19is 95 cents per $100 value, which is no change from the current) year. One cent generates approximately $316,000. The proposed budget includes aj fund balance appropriation of $4,863,690 from general fund. The current  make cuts; and avoiding the need for a taxi increase at all costs.  budget for the current. year.  year's original fund balance appropriation was $3,727,191.  KEYI BUDGETHICHLIGHIS  Revenues  We doi not anticipate significant changes in our revenue: streams. We do expect continued recovery from thel loss ofproperty values affected by Hurricane Matthew. As properties continue to be repaired and rebuilt, those values will be adjusted accordingly. Our staffi in Tax Administration are on pace to end this year slightly above last year's collection rate of 95.2% at  95.37%. Sales tax revenues are budgeted to remain flat.  Personnel  Ac cost of living increase for all county employees is included in this proposed budget. The COLA will be calculated at 1%. for all employees at $50,000 base salary and higher; and with those below $50,000 being given a flat $500 annual increase. The cost of this COLA is We will see a 4% increase in employee health insurance premiums, which is an additional cost of$480,000. Though this is a considerable sum ofmoney, thisi is much less than the double digit increases other counties are experiencing. Our health plan will remain the same, and we will continue to offer the option of a Health Savings Account (HSA) that includes a $750 Being that we are self-insured, our premium costs are directly tied to the cost of our claims. In order to manage the ever-increasing cost of our health insurance, we will continue to provide health screenings for all individuals covered by our plan. Individuals who choose not to participate in the screening will pay $50 per month towards the cost of their insurance. We will also continue the health-coaching component of our wellness program, as well as the wellness One new addition to our health insurance program is a program called Health. Map RX. This is a chronic disease management program that offers coaching and incentives that improve outcomes for the participants. We will offer it to employees with diabetes. They will have access to pharmacists and dieticians that will serve as mentors. The incentives include free medications and supplies, as well as gift cards. It is a voluntary program, and the cost is built into our premium renewal. Other county and municipal participants in this program have seen a return This budget includes capital outlay expenditures in the amount of$1,387,000, which is up. from $962,334 in this year's budget. We have some critical facility and equipment needs that can no  approximately $250,000, including benefits.  contribution by the County.  incentive of8250.  oni investment ranging. from $2.201 to $7.60 for every dollar spent.  Capital Outlay  2-    longer be deferred. The only new capital expenditure proposed from an outside agency that I have included in this budget is Nash-Rocky Mount Schools' renovation to their early college facility, of which our share will be close to $120,000. Though I have not budgeted for capital repair needs for Edgecombe County Schools, there is a possibility we may need to appropriate money to supplement lottery. funds for the repair of the roof at Southwest Edgecombe High Costs to operate the Solid Waste Department, more specifically the landfill, continue to increase. We received notice that the tipping fee charged to us to send solid waste to the regional landfill is going up by $1.10 per ton. Also, as. you know, we are in the middle ofa three-year, S1 million project to) prevent water from draining off-site from our C&D landfill. Solid Waste is an enterprise service, and therefore should be self-supporting. The above- mentioned increases will require us to appropriate money from fund balance of nearly $900,000. Therefore, I am proposing an increase in tipping fees of $1.50 to $52.50 for municipal solid waste and $1.00 to $44.50for construction & demolition, and $2.50 to $44.50in The increase you approved for the current. year of the availability. fee for both water and sewer service to $30 each has helped to better cover the costs in our Water/Sewer operations. At this time, we do not expect a rate increase from our suppliers, Rocky Mount and Tarboro. We did not receive any requests for funding from new outside agencies. All of those I recommend toj fund are those we havej funded in the past, and some of those based on ongoing agreements. For the outside agencies we currently. fund, I recommend we. fund them at the same level as the current fiscal year, unless otherwise dictated by a standing agreement. There recommend the funding. formerly designated for the Edgecombe Arts Council be reserved to fund activities related to arts education. AsJ you know, the Arts Council made some changes to its bylaws that removed the four appointments: your Board had. We have asked the Arts Council to consider revising the bylaws to add those four appointments back. Those four appointments have yet to be restored. Reserving these funds will give you the opportunity to reconsider funding to the Arts Council if they make that change to their bylaws. Ift their board does not, Inj preparing this budget, Ifeel that we have met our goals of: maintaining our current staffing levels; providing a cost of living increase for employees; addressing our most pressing capital needs; reviewing every line item to find even the smallest opportunities to make cuts; and avoiding the need for a tax increase. Though we are appropriating a significant amount from fund balance, that appropriation is necessary to achieve these goals. We will continue to monitor the budget closely throughout the year, save where we can and spend only when necessary. Ibelieve with economic growth on our horizon we will see our tax base grow, and we will be in a better, position to minimize the burden born by our tax payers. However, until then, we will continue to tighten our belt, spend wisely, and provide the best service we can to Irespectfully submit this proposed budget for Fiscal Year 18-19. I recommend that once. you close out the public hearing for the budget that you approve as presented and adopt the Mr. Wiggins called for public comment. There being none the public hearing was Mr. Wooten approve the Edgecombe County Budget Ordinance forl Fiscal Year 2018-2019 as] presented. Mr. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Wiggins recognized thej presence of] Edgecombe County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Valerie Bridges and Board of Education members Mrs. Evelyn Wilson, Mrs. Evelyn Powell and  School and other damages caused by the leaking roof.  Solid Waste  mulch/yard waste. Water & Sewer  Therefore, Trecommend that our water/sewer rates remain the same.  Outside Agencies  is one exception.  you may consider funding other arts related activities.  Conclusion  the citizens of1 Edgecombe County. enclosed budget ordinance." adjourned.  Mrs. Marva Scott.    5.  SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT.  A. Recognition of recently retired Dr. Deborah Lamm, President ofl Edgecombe Community Mr. Wiggins called! Dr. Lamm to the front of the room. Mr. Wiggins and Mr. Felton joined Dr. Lamm and presented her with aj plaque on behalf of the Board. Mr. Felton  College.  read the wording on the plaque. BOARD OFI EQUALIZATION. ANDI REVIEW. BOARD OFI EQUALIZATION, ANDI REVIEW. A. Mr. Wiggins called the meeting to order. . E. Norris Tolson - 347NC42-43W  6.  RECESS REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. AND CONVENE AS B. Scheduled Appointments: Presented by Mrs.' Tarasa Lewis, Tax Administrator.  2018 value $601,589  recommended value $504,362  Appellant's basis for appeal was his opinion ofvalue. Taxpayer feels the valuei is more than' "Fairl Market Value" and "Is Not Equitably Appraised as compared with similar properties." Appraisal staff visited the property as well as reviewed documentation provided and was able to make an effective year adjustment, as well as correct PRC data on three outbuildings. Staff also reviewed the Preservation North website in attempt to find sales comparable to this unique property. Staff also looked at Coolmore Farm sale and determined that it was considered a good sale by Mrs. Lewis stated that Mr. Tolson was satisfied with the recommended value. Mr. Felton moved to accept the $504,362 recommended value as the 2018 taxable real value. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  NCDOR guidelines.  2. Marsh Ocean, LLC- 8608 Seven Bridges Road  2018 value $306,889  recommended value $156,539  Appellant's basis for appeal was his opinion of value. Taxpayer feels the value is more than "Fairl Market Value" due to the condition of thel building being beyond rehabilitation. Appraisal staff visited the property as well as reviewed the documentation provided and agreed that thej poultry houses on the property werei in very poor condition. A condition adjustment was made to reflect sO.  Mrs. Lewis stated that appellant was satisfied.  Mr. Boswell moved to accept the $156,539 recommended value as the 2018 taxable real value. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  3. Marsh Ocean, LLC-5491 Lancaster Farm Road.  2018 value $269,193  recommended value $193,062  Appellant's basis for appeal was his opinion of value. Taxpayer feels the valuei is more than' "Fair Market Value" based on a recent appraisal obtained to assist the lender in evaluating thes subject property as security for a mortgage loan. Appraisal staff visited the property as well as reviewed the documentation provided and was  able to correct the PRC data.  Mrs. Lewis stated that appellant was satisfied.  Mr. Boswell moved to accept the $193,062 recommended value as the 2018 taxable real value. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mrs. Harris moved to adopt the resolution as presented. Mr. Felton seconded the  C. Finalizing1 final values.  motion, which carried by unanimous vote.    MR. WOOTEN. MOVED TO ADJOURN ASI BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW FOR: 2018 ANDI RECONVENE REGULAR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING. MR.] FELTON SECONDED THE MOTION, WHICH CARRIED BY  UNANIMOUS VOTE. PUBLIC PETITIONS. There were no public petitions. OTHER BUSINESS: A. Approval of budget amendments.  7. 8.  Mr. Felton moved to approve the budget amendments as presented. Mrs. Powell Mr. Evans stated that wel have received our first grant agreement under] FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). This agreement covers the mitigation of flooding through the acquisition of24 properties located in the unincorporated areas of the Mr. Wooten moved to accept this grant agreement by adopting the grant project ordinance and budget amendment. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion, which carried by Approval of Capital Improvement Plan for the Water and Sewer Department. Mr.] Evans presented for thel Board's consideration the Water and Sewer Department's Capital Improvement Plan. This provides a way toj plan for the phased build-out of needed infrastructure in the County. He stated that this plan lists desired projects, estimated costs, and thei number of citizens potentially benefitting from thej project. It Mr. Boswell moved to approve the update to the Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Plan: as] presented. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Evans stated that thei incentive package offered to' Triangle Tire by the State included funding to construct an on-site training facility. In this facility, Edgecombe Community College willj provide customized training for Triangle Tire ad any other facility located at Kingsborol Industrial Park. He stated that to accommodate that training center, wel havei identified a 14-acre tract located on thej property we recently purchased at the corner of Hwy 64 Alt. and Harts Mill Run. The Community College Mr. Boswell moved to approve: a resolution, which authorizes the transfer of this property to Edgecombe Community College. Mrs. Powell seconded the motion, which Mr.] Evans stated that the County received grant funding to extend infrastructure onto Kingsboro Industrial Park. The fundingi includes a $7 million grant from the Golden LEAFI Foundation and a $1,704,700 grant from thel NC Department of Commerce under their Industrial Development) Fund. The Wooten Company has designed the work, and assisted the County in soliciting bids for the construction. Mr. Evans stated that based on review of those bids, and the qualifications of the bidders, he recommended that the Board approve the selection ofT.A.Loving for a contract totaling $4,403,208.75. Mr. Boswell moved to approve the contract award as presented. Mrs. Powell seconded  seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. B. Approval of Hazard Mitigation Grant for Acquisition.  County. The grant totali is $4,363,625.  unanimous vote.  was updated in May of2014.  D. Convevance of property to Edgecombe Community College.  has submitted: a formal request for this property.  carried by unanimous vote.  E. Contract for Infrastructure Improvements at] Kingsboro.  the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. F. Approval of] Fireworks Display for Town of Tarboro. G. Approval of] Lease Agreement with) Kanban Logistics.  Mr. Felton moved to approve the fireworks display for the Town of Tarboro as presented. Mr. Boswell seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.    Mr. Wooten, President of] Kanban) Logistics, recused due to conflict ofi interest. Mr. Mr. Evans stated that Kanban Logistics, aj private, for-profit company locatedi in Edgecombe County, has requested thel Board consider leasing to the company space the County owns for use asi its corporate office. The property considered is the: first floor of whati is referred to as the "1912 Building", with an option to extend thel lease to the second and third floors. Itisl located at 122 E. St. James Street in' Tarboro adjacent to, and connected with the County's) Human Services Building. Mr. Evans recommended thet term oft thel leaset tol be for one year with an: annual option to renew up to ten years. Kanban Logistics has offered a rate of$10.20 per square foot. After a review of rents for similar offices spaces in the area, wel have found that to be within the range of market Mr. Boswell moved to approve thel leasing of this property with the mentioned terms, an authorize County Manager to execute al lease agreement with Kanban Logistics. Mr.  Wooten left the room during the consideration of this item.  rate.  Felton secondedi the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. A. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee. Mrs. Cynthia Jones, Planning Director, provided the report. C.Leonard Wiggins, Chairman Board of Commissioners.  9.  APPOINTMENTS. No recommendations. 10. PLANNING BOARD REPORT. 1.1 Rezoning requests: A. Carsons Land] LLC. B. Carsons Land LLC.  Mr. Boswell moved to call for public hearings regarding these rezoning requests at the July 2, 2018 meeting. Mr. Wooten seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  2. Minutes of the May 21,2018 meeting.  11. AFTERLISTS AND RELEASES FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. 12. CONTRACTS FOR] REVIEW AND/OR APPROVAL.  Mr. Wooten moved to approve the: afterlists and releases as presented. Mrs. Powell  Mr. Felton moved to approve the contracts as presented. Mrs. Harris seconded the motion,  which carried by unanimous vote. A. Water Services. B. Financial Summary Report. C.Hurricane Matthew update. 14. MANAGER'S! REPORD--Resehed" A. Economic and Workforce Indicators. B. Opportunity Zones designated inl Edgecombe County. C.R Roadway improvements related to' Triangle Tire. D.ABCI Board's fiscal year 20191 budget. 15. COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 16. ATTORNEY'S REPORT. 17. CLOSEDS SESSION.  13. DEPARTMENTAL: REPORTS: FORI REVIEW.-"Reived":  A.M Mr. Wiggins moved to designate Mrs. Harris as the voting delegate at the 20181 NACo annual conferences. Mr. Felton seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.  Mr. Boswell moved to enter into closed session to discuss economic development and al legal matter. Mr. Felton seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Wooten moved to go out of closed session and resume the regular meeting. Mr. Boswell  second the motion, which carried by unanimous vote.    18. MR. FELTON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING UNTILI MONDAY.JULY02 2018AT7:001 P.M. MR. WOOTEN SECONDED THE MOTION. WHICH CARRIED BY  UNANIMOUS VOTE.  Approved. July 2, 2018. pi Frangiel Mungo, Clerk to thel  bp  -7-